The Killingworth Castle sits at the heart of some of the best walks and rides in the Cotswolds. From the meticulously ordered yet pastorally serene grounds of the nearby Blenheim Palace to the mysterious and bewitching Neolithic and Bronze Age Rollright Stones, there’s something for all age groups, interests and walking or cycling ability. We’ve rounded up just a few of our favourites below…
01. The Rollright Stones
5.25 mile walk
Myth has it that the Rollright Stones were formed when an ancient king, aiming to conquer all of England, was turned to stone by a witch who offered him the kingdom if he could spot nearby village, Long Compton. Thankfully, these days all is a little more peaceful on this stunning escarpment between the Stour valley and the Swere valley.
therollrightstones.co.uk
02. Blenheim Palace Circuit
5.5 mile walk
When you have one of the world's finest palaces on your doorstep, it would be almost criminal if one didn't explore at least some of its magnificent grounds. As Winston Churchill's ancestral home, you can stroll in the footsteps of Britain's most applauded wartime leader and marvel and the simply breathtaking settings all year round.
blenheimpalace.com
03. Wychwood
7 mile walk
The ancient forest of Wychwood was recorded in the Domesday Book as a royal hunting ground, having previously been populated by the Romans. Look out for Grim's Ditch, a lengthy Bronze Age earthwork that encircles much of the wood. Historians are yet to agree on the purpose of bank structure. Perhaps you can solve the mystery.
wychwoodforesttrust.co.uk
04. Wootton Two Rivers Circular
8.5 mile walk
To fully appreciate the sheer magnificence of the pub’s immediate surroundings, one is strongly advised to pull on the walking boots. Head out through the village of Wootton, before taking to the fields high above the valley where the River Dorn flows. This is a popular trail for hiking, running, and walking, but you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of the day. Skirt the grounds of Blenheim Palace and take in the old Roman Road of Akeman Street.
walks.walkingworld.com
05. Wootton (short walk)
1 mile walk
A quick walk before or after a big meal is good for promoting healthy metabolic activity, if the experts are to be believed. So, before sitting down to feast at our award-winning restaurant one might consider a quick stroll around the village. A short circular walk from the church down through the village to the River Glyme should do the trick.
oxfordshirepreservation.org.uk
06. Woodstock
1 mile for both walks
Woodstock is steeped in history and is arguably one of the prettiest villages in the Cotswolds. The children's walk is a treasure hunt to find such oddities as a windowless window and dinosaur, while the history walk reveals the house Oliver Cromwell supposedly stayed in during the siege of Woodstock Manor and the village stocks.
visitwoodstock.co.uk
07. Walking the Cotswold Way
102.5 miles
Extending from the quintessentially English market town of Chipping Campden to the Roman city of Bath, the 102 mile (164 km) Cotswold Way has existed as a promoted long-distance walk and had its 50th anniversary in 2020.
Following the western edge of the Cotswold Hills, the route journeys through rolling pastures, beech woodland and honey-coloured villages built from Cotswold stone.